In ballroom dancing, the terms “Smooth” and “Standard” both refer to the flowing, traveling partner dances — Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz. But Smooth and Standard are not the same thing, and confusing them creates real problems when you’re choosing a studio, entering a competition, or trying to understand what your teacher means when they correct your technique.
The short version: Smooth is the American Style category; Standard is the International Style category. They share some of the same dances but use different technique, different holds, and operate under different governing bodies. Here’s the full breakdown.
What Is American Smooth?
American Smooth is the flowing partner dance category within the American Style system, governed by the National Dance Council of America (NDCA). It includes four dances: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and Viennese Waltz.
The defining characteristic of American Smooth is the freedom of hold. Partners can — and do — break from closed position regularly throughout the dance. Open positions, side-by-side shadow work, underarm turns, solo footwork, dramatic extended lines, and theatrical poses are all part of the Smooth vocabulary. The couple moves in and out of connection, creating a flowing, performance-oriented aesthetic that many spectators find visually spectacular.
American Smooth is what you’re watching on Dancing With the Stars — big movements, sweeping lines, theatrical expressions, and that sense that each partner is also performing individually within the couple’s partnership. Smooth allows each dancer some personal expression space that Standard does not.
What Is International Standard?
International Standard is the equivalent category in the International Style system, governed worldwide by the World Dance Council (WDC) and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF). It includes five dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep.
The defining characteristic of International Standard is the maintained closed hold. From the first step to the last, partners remain in closed position. No separation, no open work, no solo footwork. The couple must move as a single unified unit, which places enormous demands on frame, connection, and the ability to communicate subtle weight shifts through the partnership without breaking contact.
International Standard has a strict, athletic quality. Judges look for precise technique: correct footwork (heel leads, toe leads, heel turns), proper rise and fall, correct sway, and immaculate frame. At the world championship level, International Standard is breathtaking in its technical precision and the physical power of two bodies moving as one.
Key Differences: Smooth vs Standard
| Feature | American Smooth | International Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Hold | Can break frame; open positions allowed | Closed position maintained throughout |
| Dances included | Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz | Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep |
| Governing body | NDCA (US competitions) | WDC / WDSF (worldwide, including Olympics) |
| Aesthetic | Theatrical, performance-oriented, expressive | Athletic, unified, technically precise |
| Solo expression | Yes — individual moments valued | No — couple must function as one unit |
| Quickstep included | No | Yes — one of five Standard dances |
| Olympics | Not represented | Yes — WDSF Standard at Olympic DanceSport |
Which Is More Difficult?
Both are challenging at high levels, but they’re difficult in different ways. American Smooth’s difficulty lies in the transitions — moving fluidly in and out of hold while maintaining a coherent shared line, and creating theatrical moments that feel organic rather than staged. The open work requires strong individual technique on top of partnership skills.
International Standard’s difficulty lies in the sustained connection. Maintaining correct closed position for an entire dance while executing rise and fall, sway, swing, and precise footwork — without the pressure release of ever breaking frame — is physically and technically demanding in a different way. At advanced levels, Standard dancers have some of the strongest physical conditioning in ballroom dance.
Which Should You Learn?
If you’re in the US and not yet sure about competition, American Smooth is more commonly taught and often feels more immediately rewarding. The open work gives lessons more variety, and the theatrical elements tend to be more visually exciting early in the learning process.
If you know you want to compete at international events, work toward the Olympics, or build the strongest possible technical foundation in partnership mechanics, International Standard is worth pursuing from the start. The frame discipline transfers to everything else in ballroom dance — including Smooth.
The good news: many of the fundamental technique principles are shared. Waltz rise and fall, Foxtrot heel leads, Tango staccato — these work essentially the same way in both systems. The difference lies in the syllabus patterns, the allowed vocabulary, and ultimately in the quality of movement that each system prioritizes.
Common Questions About Smooth vs Standard
Is American Smooth easier than International Standard? Many beginners find Smooth more immediately accessible because the open positions provide more variety in early lessons and feel less restrictive. But at high levels, Smooth’s open work adds a layer of choreographic complexity that Standard doesn’t have. Truly masterful Smooth dancers require both strong closed partnership technique and polished individual technique — effectively double the technical demand.
Can I watch American Smooth on TV? Yes — Dancing With the Stars and similar shows use American Smooth almost exclusively for the flowing partner dances. If you want to watch International Standard at a world-class level, look for WDSF World Championship footage on YouTube — the United Kingdom Open Championships and Blackpool Dance Festival are considered the premier International Standard events worldwide.
Why doesn’t American Smooth include Quickstep? Quickstep is a purely International Standard dance with no American Style equivalent in the competition syllabus. This means if you want to compete in Quickstep, you’ll be studying International technique regardless of which system your studio primarily teaches. Many American-style studios do teach social Quickstep, but it doesn’t appear in NDCA competition.
Do the dances look the same to an untrained eye? At beginner and intermediate levels, American Smooth and International Standard Waltz look very similar. At higher levels, the distinction becomes visually clear: Standard couples never break frame, creating a continuous unified visual line; Smooth couples regularly separate into theatrical open positions that make individual lines and shapes prominent. A trained judge can identify the system within the first 8 counts.
Find the Right Studio
Not all studios are equally strong in both systems. Before enrolling, ask which system the studio competes in. A strong American Smooth studio may have limited International Standard competition experience, and vice versa.
Use the Ballroom Dance Directory to find studios near you and look for ones whose competition history and instructor credentials match the style you want to pursue. The investment you make in choosing the right starting point will compound over months and years of training.